Women's Cross Country | August 26, 2024

AUGUSTA, Ga. – The USCA women's cross country team has been selected seventh in the PBC Preseason Poll, as announced by the league office.

The poll was voted on by each of the league's head coaches, who were not allowed to vote on their own team.

Head coach Marshall Leonard's team received 38 total points. Flagler garnered all nine first-place votes with 81 points to lead the way. Augusta (71 points), North Georgia (60 points), GCSU (56 points) and Columbus State (48 points) concluded the top five. Clayton State tallied 41 points for sixth place. Lander (25 points), USC Beaufort (20 points) and Georgia Southwestern (10 points) rounded out the poll.

USCA is coming off a seventh-place finish at the 2023 PBC Championship. The 2024 squad returns senior Taylor Joop and sophomores Alaynah Guthrie, Bailey Kirkland and Tess Studley. Leonard added juniors Ainhoa Colino and Emma Cox as well as sophomores Jenna Couch and Jade Webster. Marshall inked rookies Sydney Fallin, Savannah Hill, Gabrielle Jourdain and Kendall Reynolds.  

"I am very thrilled about the upcoming season, as our team is full of young, eager, and talented women," Leonard stated. "This recruiting class is building upon what the 2023 recruiting class has accomplished. The future is bright with this group because of their willingness to be coached, their work ethic, and their ability to work as a group. I have high goals for them as individuals and as a team, and they share that same mindset. This is a special group, and it is a coach's dream to work with a group like this that has the will, the passion and the ability to prioritize what is important. This is going to be a very enjoyable season, and I cannot wait for it to begin."

The Pacers open the 2024 campaign at the Elon Night Invitational on Friday, Sept. 6.

Women's Cross Country
1. Flagler (9) 81
2. Augusta 71
3. UNG 60
4. GCSU 56
5. Columbus State 48
6. Clayton State 41
7. USC Aiken 38
8. Lander 25
9. USC Beaufort 20
10. Georgia Southwestern 10